How to Pass the Professional Scrum Master (PSM) Certification
Preparing for the Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) assessment is not just about memorising terms. It is about understanding Agile principles, and how Scrum enables empirical delivery in real teams.
If you study the right sources, practise under time pressure, and learn the “why” behind Scrum, you can pass confidently without cramming.
Key takeaways
- Treat the PSM exam as an Agile knowledge test, not a trivia quiz.
- Learn the Scrum Guide deeply, then practise applying it to scenarios.
- Use timed practice to build speed and reduce mistakes.
- Focus on Scrum accountabilities, Scrum Events (aka Ceremonies), and artefacts.
- Be careful with AI shortcuts; use it to learn, not to guess answers.
Challenge / why this matters
The PSM I assessment is fast and precise. You have 80 questions in 60 minutes and need 85% to pass, so accuracy and speed both matter.
Most people fail for predictable reasons:
- They read the Scrum Guide once, then jump straight to practice tests.
- They confuse Scrum guidance with company-specific ways of working.
- They miss small words in questions (“best”, “most likely”, “required”).
- They rely on “exam dumps” or AI guesses and never build real understanding.
If you are tempted to use AI as a shortcut, read this first: Use AI the right way ↗
Approach / how it works
Use a simple, repeatable study loop that mirrors Agile learning: short cycles, fast feedback, and continuous improvement.
1) Master the source of truth
The Scrum Guide is the foundation for PSM. Read it end-to-end, then read it again with a notebook.
On the second pass, write short answers to:
- What problem does each Scrum Event (aka Ceremony) solve?
- What is the purpose of each artefact and its commitment?
- What are the boundaries of each accountability, and what is not their job?
This is also where you clear up common myths. For example, Scrum does not promise predictability through detailed upfront planning. It improves predictability through transparency, inspection, and adaptation.
2) Study in scenarios, not definitions
PSM questions often describe a situation and ask what is most consistent with Scrum. You need to think like a practitioner.
A good technique is to translate any scenario into three checks:
- Transparency: what is unclear or hidden?
- Inspection: what should be inspected, and when?
- Adaptation: what is the smallest change that improves outcomes?
This “empirical” mindset also helps when leaders ask Scrum teams to manage work like a traditional plan. If you are dealing with OKRs in the same environment, this perspective is helpful: Using Scrum with OKRs ↗
3) Practise under time pressure
Do timed practice early, not at the end. Speed is a skill, and you only build it by practising with a clock.
Try this pattern:
- Do a short set of 20 questions timed (15 minutes).
- Review every wrong answer and write why you got it wrong.
- Re-read the relevant Scrum Guide section.
- Repeat with a new set, increasing difficulty over time.
When you review, focus on the “why” rather than the correct option. You are training judgement, not recall.
4) Learn the “hot spots” the exam loves
These topics come up repeatedly and are worth extra focus:
- Sprint Goal and how it guides decision-making.
- Product Backlog refinement and what “ready” does and does not mean.
- Accountabilities versus titles and hierarchy.
- Definition of Done and the meaning of “Done” increments.
- The difference between “required by Scrum” and “useful in context”.
If your weak area is the Sprint cadence, these practical guides help: Sprint Planning best practices ↗ and Backlog refinement guidance ↗
Results / expected outcomes
If you follow a structured approach, you should expect:
- Faster comprehension of the Scrum Guide, with fewer gaps.
- Higher practice-test accuracy because you are reasoning, not guessing.
- Better time management through repeated timed drills.
- Stronger real-world Scrum confidence, not just an exam pass.
This also makes you more effective in interviews and in delivery conversations, because you can explain trade-offs clearly.
Practical takeaways / what to do next
Use this practical 7-day plan if you want momentum without burnout.
- Day 1: Read the Scrum Guide end-to-end and note anything unclear.
- Day 2: Re-read and create a one-page cheat sheet (events, artefacts, commitments, accountabilities).
- Day 3: Timed practice (2 x 20 questions), then review against the Scrum Guide.
- Day 4: Focus study on your weakest area (often Sprint Goal, refinement, or Done).
- Day 5: Timed practice (40–60 questions) and track recurring mistake patterns.
- Day 6: “Explain it out loud” practice: teach the concepts to someone or to yourself.
- Day 7: Full timed run, then light review only.
If you are using AI to support your study, use it for explanation and practice scenarios, not for “give me the answer”. This article sets the guardrails clearly: Should you use AI to pass? ↗
Related training
Related reading
- Daily Scrum best practices ↗
- Agile delivery vs Waterfall ↗
- High-performance delivery culture ↗
- Why Scrum is dead (and what people mean) ↗
Conclusion
Passing PSM I is achievable with focused study, timed practice, and a clear understanding of the Scrum Guide. Keep the learning practical, treat mistakes as feedback, and build your judgement in scenarios.
If you want support with a structured prep plan or team-wide capability building, we can help.
Contact us
Book a 30-minute diagnostic call ↗
